Have you ever had a cold sweat?

[left-of-center2012]

I had a real bad fall this past Sunday (3/6). I walked into the kitchen and immediately broke out into a 'cold sweat'. First and only time that's happened to me.
It came on all of a sudden. My head got real cold, freezing. My head broke out into profuse sweating. I thought, I'd better go lay down and just as quickly as I thought that I collapsed to the floor. I didn't 'fall' or 'trip', but my legs collapsed under me and I was down onto the floor within seconds. I didn't pass out but felt weak and woozy.

I slowly got up and thought my blood sugar must be low. but I checked and it was OK.
I thought my blood pressure must be low, but I checked and my vital signs were OK.
There was no chest pain or any other pain and I started to feel better. I thought about calling 911 but the one time I did that they took me to the ER to get checked out and I had a $500 bill for the ambulance.

I thought if I didn't feel better I'd take a taxi (or Uber) to the ER, but I did get to feeling better and just slept much of the day. I don't know if it was heart related, but will discuss it with my primary care doctor (I have a previously scheduled appointment with him this coming Tuesday) and I see a heart surgeon on the 28th to discuss having a surgical procedure of my heart done (a cardiac ‘ablation’).

I’m undecided on the ‘cardiac ablation’ as what I see on many Google sites says I’m not a good candidate. I suspect the heart docs are seeing dollar signs.

[alfie]

1. Good thing you have a doctor's appt coming soon

But if it happens again, go to the hospital ASAP. Do you have atrial fib? You could have had a few minutes of a really rapid heart rate from that that caused your symptoms. By the time you got around to checking your blood pressure, the pressure and heart rate would have been back to normal. But something was abnormal when you were feeling that way. It can persist for a long time, though, and next time, if it does persist, you could lose consciousness and be unable to call for help. Don't wait next time.

[left-of-center2012]

2. "Do you have atrial fib?"

Yes. Diagnosed 3 months ago, but no symptoms other than a heart rate of 140,
which is now under 100 with medications.

[alfie]

3. I thought your probably did

That is usually why they suggest ablation. Good luck with your treatment, that is a stubborn heart condition, hard to keep under control. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

[MADem]

4. Postural hypotension? Could it have been that? See the link...

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/orthostatic-hypotension/basics/definition/con-20031255

[left-of-center2012]

5. It could be, but ...

Looking at your linked page, I don't see the 'cold sweat' listed.
It was very pronounced.

[MADem]

7. It can happen if your heart is working overtime trying to get the

blood back to your head, or if you have anything from Gulf War Illness to some kind of viral insult.

Here's another good link from the PDR--no diagnosing here, just a range of "possibles" and a list of stuff that the doctor might ask you or tests that they might run. At least you'll know what they're looking for if they ask for any of these tests!

http://www.pdrhealth.com/diseases/fainting/diagnosis

I hope you sort it out--that can't be fun at all. In the meantime, take your time when getting up from a seated or reclining position!

[Warpy]

6. Definitely tell your cardiologist

because it could just be a vaso-vagal thing (translation: we don't know why you hit the deck, you just did) or it could be related to the reason they're discussing doing the ablation.

In fact, calling the office Monday morning would be a good thing to do.

If it happens again over the weekend, ER.